Independent Lens Season 18 Episode 1 Best of Enemies

Best of Enemies is the first episode of season 18 of the award-winning documentary series Independent Lens. This episode dives deep into the historic 1968 televised debates between two political intellectuals, William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal, which were broadcast on ABC during the Republican and Democratic conventions.

The two men were polar opposites in every way imaginable. Buckley was a conservative iconoclast, founder of the National Review magazine, and a spearhead of the conservative movement that would eventually take over the Republican party. Vidal, on the other hand, was a renowned author and media personality who was famous for his leftist views and critiques of American imperialism.

Despite their stark differences, ABC saw an opportunity in bringing the two of them together to provide commentary and analysis during the 1968 conventions. Originally the plan was to have them take turns giving solo commentaries, but after Vidal made an impolite remark to Buckley during one of the initial segments, they quickly descended into open hostility.

The debates quickly turned into vicious verbal attacks, with both men unloading decades worth of pent-up disdain and contempt on each other. As they got more and more personal, the line between intellectual discourse and mudslinging started to blur, leading to some of the most iconic and memorable exchanges in the history of televised political debates.

As Independent Lens tells the story of this epoch-defining showdown, viewers get an intimate look at the lives and beliefs of two towering figures of the American intellectual scene. From Buckley's privileged upbringing as the son of an oil magnate, to Vidal's experiences as a closeted homosexual battling against homophobia and censorship, the show delves deep into the biographies of these two complex men.

The show also provides a window into the turbulent times that gave birth to these debates. As the Vietnam war raged on, political and social tensions were at an all-time high, and the nation's youth was rebelling against the older generation's views on everything from race relations to the spread of corporate power.

Best of Enemies contrasts the present with the past, showing how Buckley and Vidal's debates were reflections of broader phenomena that are still shaping our world today. Interviews with contemporary pundits and academics shed light on the enduring legacy of the debates, and how they influenced the rise of modern conservatism and the chasm that exists between intellectual elites and the rest of society.

Overall, Best of Enemies is a must-see episode for anyone interested in history, politics, and the intersection between media and intellectualism. With its masterful storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, it provides a unique perspective on an iconic moment in American history and the two figures who defined it.